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Research and development

Groundbreaking research is carried out throughout the Trust to improve our understanding and treatment of common and rare diseases of the heart and lungs. We are driven by the clinical needs of patients and work closely with our academic research partners such as Imperial College, London.

Respiratory Biomedical Research Unit (BRU)

The Respiratory BRU has been running for a year and good progress has been made.

Core facilities have been provided to increase throughput, standardize assays and remove duplication of effort.

An education programme in translational medicine has been developed.

A public engagement programme to bring patients into research at the design stage has been set up.

A number of capital projects have also been progressed. These include:

Clinical research facility (CRF)

This is the main focus of the design and building work. The CRF will provide state-of-the-art inpatient and outpatient clinical research facilities and will also house an education centre and refreshment area, located on the first floor of Royal Brompton’s Fulham Wing. Plans have been finalised with work due to start in July 2009.

Tissue bank/histology

To improve tissue collection and processing, and in collaboration with the Cardiovascular BRU, a biobank is being created. An external supplier will provide the storage facility and a biobank manager will oversee the tissue collection and distribution. Significant progress has been made during 2008/09 to make the team’s ambitious plans come to fruition. Further sustained development is planned for 2009/10.